A blog dedicated to coverage of rock news, reviews of CD's/DVD's, live gigs and interviews with musicians who have made rock music great!
Coverage of hard rock, classic rock, AOR and popular melodic rock music across the genre.
This blog is the creation of Alun Williams, a Brit now living in Michigan whose previous credits include writing for the following sites:
www.classicrock.about.com
www.classicrockrevisited.com
and www.rocknrolluniverse.com (Now gone)
I hope you enjoy your visit here!

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

News Update for Saturday October 29th, 2011

Yes, the man behind the excellent www.melodicrock.com website, Andrew McNiece has succeeded after 15 years of trying, in getting an interview with former Journey lead vocalist, the dare I say, legendary ... Steve Perry.

This has been - not only for Andrew - probably the most sought after interview in melodic rock circles, there has been in years.

Not since VH1 Classic's Behind The Music, has anyone secured as detailed an interview as Andrew has.

Since Perry left Journey, he's released two solo albums in 'Street Talk' that featured the mega hit 'Oh Sherrie' and a second - my preferred - album 'For The Love Of Strange Medicine,' that for many fans of the band, was considered the album Journey should've made after 'Raised on Radio.'

Classy stuff indeed.

Anyway, enough of my thoughts, find out what Steve Perry thinks of Journey today, what he's been doing and what he plans to do next, right now over at:

Full Circle: The Live Anthology With Three CDs and One DVD Lands November 1

New York, NY (October 26, 2011) — Eagle Rock Entertainment celebrates the life of Jeff Healey (1966-2008) with the November 1 release of Full Circle: The Live Anthology, a beautifully packaged boxed set containing three CDs and one DVD.

Known as one of the great guitar players of his generation, Healey, blind since age one, played the guitar on his lap, pedal-steel style. His soulful vocals and instrumental dexterity criss-crossed genres with ease but his heart was firmly entrenched within the blues-rock tradition.

Three complete concerts, captured in stunning aural clarity (Dolby Digital Stereo) are represented in this incredible set. In 1989, the Jeff Healey Band supported its See The Light debut album by performing at the prestigious Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1991, the band toured Switzerland appearing at the St. Gallen Open Air Festival (on CD and DVD in this set). In 1995, after achieving international fame, they returned home to Toronto for a rousing hero’s welcome in front of a hometown crowd, in support of their Cover To Cover album.

"Australian rock" is a genre that music fans hold in high regard, as some of the greatest rock bands of all time (AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, The Saints, Radio Birdman, etc.) hailed from the land down under. And the latest hard rocking Australian band that is turning heads is Strange Karma.

Comprised of brothers Martin Strange (singer) and Paul Strange (guitar), as well as Doe Prijono (bass), and Jason McDonald (drums), Strange Karma has just issued their kick ass debut, 'Volume 1' (via FNA Records – www.fnarecords.net). And soon, US fans will get a chance to catch this fast-rising act.

On Wednesday, November 2nd, Strange Karma will be playing the legendary Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA, and on Saturday, November 5th, will be playing the Rock n' Roll Cantina in Las Vegas, NV. Then, on Wednesday, November 30th, the quartet will perform another show at the Whiskey A Go Go.

Unlike many other up-and-coming bands, Strange Karma is already a road-tested unit, having performed extensively in their home country, as well as embarking on tours of both England and the US. Additionally, the group has collected an impressive amount of accolades and accomplishments, including amassing nearly 100,000 friends on Myspace, which has led to over 200,000 plays of their songs via their Myspace site. Also, Strange Karma has received coverage on such respected hard rock/heavy metal sites as Sleaze Roxx,Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles.

The band has also filmed a video for the lead-off single from 'Volume 1,' titled "America," which can be viewed here:

Big Country who have completed a very successful comeback year which has seen them complete two sold-out UK tours and make high profile appearances at The Isle of Wight Festival, T in The Park, Oxegen and V Festivals plus, reunite with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite for the first time in 27 years, announce a new tour of UK for 2012. This will be the commencement of celebrations for their 30th anniversary and to mark it, Universal are to re-release The Crossing the bands debut classic album, in various formats. The band will perform the album live in its entirety.

Tony Butler says "First albums are usually considered to be a bands finest moment, for us it was a magical one. A collection of songs that were unique, original and above all, heart felt. We knew we were different and we knew we were creating something special."

TICKETS ON SALE 9.30am Friday 09 September to the general public and via the bands brand new website from today, Tuesday 6th September.

Chris Ousey’s career goes from strength to strength. His first main achievement was with Polygram recording artists "Monroe" with guitarist Gary Sharpe, but Chris never made it to the album as he was snatched in the pre-production stages by John Bonham's son, Jason, for his new band of the moment, Virginia Wolf.

The band notched up 250,000 album sales between two records in the form of their self titled debut (produced by Queen's Roger Taylor) and "Push" (produced by Keith Olsen).

Most will associate Chris with the band “Heartland” which was actually formed by Chris with Gary Sharpe and their self titled debut on A & M Records in the early nineties was produced by James "Jimbo" Barton. Since then Chris has notched up 10 releases with Heartland, and recently “Best of .." (ESM221) is a great reminder of the work he has done over the years.

Nicknamed by the press as “The Man with the Golden Tonsils”Chris has always been loved by the rock audience, simply because of his amazing voice and his uncanny vocal range. So, for the first time we have a solo album from the man himself, and are we all in for a treat. Produced by none other than the famous Mike Slamer, “Rhyme and Reason” is a superb slice of melodic hard rock that will have you singing every chorus after the first spin. Songs Like “Mother of Invention” (available as a Digital download on 5th October) and “The Reason Why” are two great examples of songs from the album, but there is not one single weak track here. Chris has a knack of writing great lyrics and with Tommy Denander writing the music then it is a match made in heaven….and just wait till you hear the collaboration of two great guitarists Mike Slamer and Tommy Denander and the combination is just pure magical!!

Rhyme and Reason is a great album and highlights just how Chris has matured over the last two decades.